She intrigued him and he wanted to know more. Much more.
‘You surprise me,’ he said, trying to rein in his thoughts.
‘Because I’m not the spoilt little rich girl you thought I was?’ The spike of fury in her words was clear, as was the glitter of anger in her eyes.
‘There’s more to you than you let people know and I hope that over the next weekend we will both get to know one another better.’
‘You make it sound as if it’s more...’ He saw her hesitancy in her face. ‘Like a lovers’ holiday.’
‘That is exactly what it is supposed to appear, and if you get it right, Bianca, and the engagement exclusive works, it could be the last time you will have to endure my company.’
‘It will work,’ she said firmly. ‘Email me the details.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
BIANCA WAS STILL reeling with the shock over Liev’s romantic getaway plans as the yacht arrived at a private island in the Bahamas. Not only had he set up the exclusive interview and photoshoot, but he’d whisked her away to the most romantic setting of white sands, blue sea and endless sunshine. A lovers’ paradise, one that should feel as good as a prison, trapping her with him and the ever-increasing desire she felt for him. It could be the warmth of the sun, or the relaxing time on the yacht along with champagne, but she didn’t feel that in the least.
‘How did you manage to set this up?’ She took the hand he offered her and stepped onto the wooden jetty, glad she could hide her shock behind sunglasses. ‘And find this idyllic setting?’
‘With all the current interest in our engagement, an exclusive wasn’t hard to negotiate, especially when I invited them to my secluded island home.’ The drawl of his voice was soft and incredibly sexy and she wondered if the sun had already gone to her head; then what he actually said finally registered.
‘Your island?’
‘Is that something you hadn’t found out about me, Bianca?’ He didn’t let her hand go. Instead he pulled her closer and she went willingly, moving so close until she was almost pressing herself against his body. ‘Maybe being here will allow us both to discover more about each other.’
‘Not with a magazine shoot going on.’ She laughed softly, hardly able to understand just how she already felt so relaxed being here with him. What would it be like if they were here for no other reason than to get to know one another? The thought sent a sizzle of excitement zipping around her and she sighed in relief knowing that photographers and their assistants would invade any peace they had, that they wouldn’t be as alone as it first appeared.
‘That is not happening until Saturday morning.’ He looked intently into her eyes and she almost forgot herself, almost melted completely against him.
‘Saturday morning! But it’s only Friday now. We can’t stay here alone together until then.’
‘We can and we will.’ He took her sunglasses from her face and she just let him. ‘I like to see your eyes, to see your thoughts in them, and right now, I see panic. But I promise you, Bianca, apart from playing your role at the photoshoot, nothing will happen here between us—unless you want it to.’
‘So why hide away here for several days?’
‘Bianca, do you really need to ask? The magazine will feel as if they have been invited into our own private love affair, able to glimpse the love we have for one another. It will also give us time to perfect that loving couple moment they will be expecting.’
Deep down she knew he was right. It would be exactly what the magazine readers would most want to see. But two days here, alone with a man who was unlocking a Bianca she never knew existed, was not a prospect she relished. But he had said nothing would happen that she didn’t want.
‘You’re right,’ she said, and she pulled her hand free of his and took back the sunglasses he held out to her. ‘We’ll do it your way.’
‘The villa is this way.’ Before she could say anything, he’d taken her hand and was walking along the wooden jetty which spanned across crystal blue waters towards the white sands, fringed by palm trees and lush green plants which shielded the villa from view.
Again that sizzle of anticipation raced through her. Two days alone with Liev. But would that be enough to get to know the real man? He led her along a pathway through the palm trees and she caught the first glimpse of the villa. It wasn’t as big as she’d first imagined; in fact, it was small to the point of being cosy and nestled in the palm trees. Beyond it she could see the ocean. It was so romantic, exactly the kind of place she could imagine the lovers from the letter she’d found when she was younger coming to.
The coolness of the interior was welcoming as they entered. It was furnished more traditionally than she’d ever have imagined a man like Liev wanting, but to her it was simply perfect.
‘It’s such a beautiful home.’ He let her hand go and she wandered to the windows and looked out over the ocean, its sparkling waters looking so inviting. She hadn’t swum in the sea for so long.
‘I’ll show you to your room and then we can take a walk on the beach, maybe even a swim.’ He stood in the doorway, his casual clothes suiting him as much as the tuxedo he’d worn for the party. She didn’t miss the mention of her room and relaxed. He obviously intended to keep his word. Nothing would happen if she didn’t want it to. The problem was, she wanted it to.
‘A walk would be nice, but I haven’t come prepared for swimming.’ She regretted that he hadn’t given her more information when he’d told her they would be away for the weekend. The thought of a swim in the ocean was very enticing.
He walked from the living area and she followed him into a lovely and bright bedroom with doors which opened out onto a small shady garden and the beach beyond, basking in the afternoon sun. He picked up a package from the bed and turned to her.
‘This might help.’ His voice had deepened and his accent had become more pronounced, but his expression had softened, as if being in the sunshine was stripping away the hardness she’d become accustomed to.
Her eyes met his and she scanned them for any hint of what it might help with, but as she took the neatly gift-wrapped box from him, she guessed what was inside the package. ‘Thank you.’